In any case, the song most of us are familiar with today comes from an English composer named Frederic Austin in 1909, he set the melody and lyrics (including changing “colly” to “calling”) and added as his own flourish the drawn-out cadence of “five go-old rings.” The song is not a coded primer on ChristianityĪ popular theory that’s made the internet rounds is that the lyrics to “The 12 Days of Christmas” are coded references to Christianity it posits that the song was written to help Christians learn and pass on the tenets of their faith while avoiding persecution. And some people theorize that the five gold rings actually refer to the markings of a ring-necked pheasant, which would align with the bird motif of the early verses. Early versions list four “colly” birds, an archaic term meaning black as coal (blackbirds, in other words). Some mention “bears a-baiting” or “ships a-sailing” some name the singer’s mother as the gift giver instead of their true love. Many variations of the lyrics have existed at different points.
(A first edition of that book sold for $23,750 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2014, but you can also buy a digital copy on Amazon.) Some historians think the song could be French in origin, but most agree it was designed as a “memory and forfeits” game, in which singers tested their recall of the lyrics and had to award their opponents a “forfeit” - a kiss or a favor of some kind - if they made a mistake. The earliest known version first appeared in a 1780 children’s book called Mirth With-out Mischief. The history of the carol is somewhat murky.
The song then adds a gift for each day, building on the verse before it, until you’re reciting all 12 gifts together: The version most people are familiar with today begins with this verse: The lyrics to “The 12 Days of Christmas” have changed over the years Each verse builds on the previous one, serving as a really effective way to annoy family members on road trips. “The 12 Days of Christmas” is also a Christmas carol in which the singer brags about all the cool gifts they received from their “true love” during the 12 days of Christmas. Stephen on December 26) and planning daily Christmas-related activities, but for many, things go back to business as usual after December 25.
#Many gifts one spirit lyrics full
Together, we can achieve the justice and liberation that we so long for, affirm the lives of our gay and transgender brothers and sisters, and call the Black church into the full expression of God’s unconditional love.Some families choose to mark the 12-day period by observing the feast days of various saints (including St. Please spread the word about Many Voices.Īnd donate today, at whatever level you can.
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